Love the Color of Your Butterfly is a foray into fusion like never before accomplished by one voice representing the melting pot of goodness in this world. We all contribute to this and shape its existence every minute of the day and with each passing breath. Love the Color of Your Butterfly is my musical expression of this fact. With the gracious assistance of some of the world’s most talented and accomplished musicians, Love the Color of Your Butterfly is my dream come true.
“Jazz is my hometown and the root of my being.”
When the time came for me to make a body of work that represented my deepest artistic desires, I took an inventory of my musical influences and creations and came up with a concept that blended my past with my present. My life includes a myriad of genres, most notably jazz, blues, soul, art song, spirituals, and opera.
I was raised by two artists. My dad is a legendary jazz drummer who has played with numerous artists. Freddie Hubbard, Art Pepper, Gene Harris, George Cables, Eddie Harris, and Horace Silver regularly crossed paths with me early in life. My mother is a yogini way-maker, healer, and published writer whose words make up the title of this album.
“Janinah, you cannot be another color butterfly. You must be you and love the color of your butterfly!”
This project pushes boundaries and reimagines concepts that have been “delineated” while blurring lines and unifying elements that are usually presented separately creating a new genre classification I call CLAZZ.
What is Clazz?
CLAZZ combines many genres of music, including classical and jazz, and encourages audiences to learn hidden gems about music from various eras of American history and learn new information about the intersections of artists who have influenced my diverse musical journey including (but not limited to) writers, composers, and musicians.
The artists who help bring
Love the Color of Your Butterfly
to life are as follows
In choosing my collaborators, I wanted to work with artists who spoke the language of music artfully and lovingly. As we began the journey, I realized that no matter what our specialty was, we were unified by the universality of music. This project embodies the broadness of possibility.
The artists I chose for this project are extraordinary. Many are colleagues I met for the first time at the recording studio. It was a joyful yet terrifying experience to meet them and immediately begin our work on the musical arrangements knowing that we all would be straddling the fence between genres. However, their excellence encouraged and inspired my own artistry. The artists digested the musical arrangements, taking them far beyond what was printed on the page. It was truly uncanny and became even more than I knew I wanted.
Sullivan Fortner
Piano | Organ
“I didn’t know Sullivan prior to recording this album. We spoke on the phone a few times about working together and this was finally the time we were able to do so. What he brought to my album was superlative and I’m so thankful that he shared his gifts with us. ”
Appears On: My Love, What Is This Thing Called Love, Someday We’ll All Be Free
Accolades: Long-time pianist for Roy Hargrove and currently touring with Cécile McLorin Salvant, Winner of a Leonore Annenberg Arts Fellowship, the 2015 Cole Porter Fellowship from the American Pianists Association, and the 2016 Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists
Christian Sands
Piano | Arrangements | Background Vocals
“I have been a fan of Christian for many years and was thrilled when he agreed to work with me on this project. What he brought to my album through arrangements and musicality allowed us to tell the most compelling story and for that I am thankful.”
Appears On: Kiss of Life, Honeysuckle Rose, E lucevan le stelle, I Loves You Porgy, In a Sentimental Mood, Creole Girl, Strange Fruit
Accolades: GRAMMY® nominee for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, recently appeared as a sideman on records by Christian McBride and Gregory Porter
Casey Benjamin
Vocoder
“Having known Casey for many years and being such a huge fan, I could not have been more excited when he agreed to work with me. I revere his musicianship immensely and am so honored to have him on this project.”
Appears On: Kiss of Life
Accolades: One of the original members of the GRAMMY® award-winning Robert Glasper Experiment, featured on the Philip Bailey’s newest album, and a member of Stefon Harris & Blackout.
Keith Brown
Piano
“I became acquainted with Keith through his most recent album “The Journey”. Though we did not have an opportunity to work together before Love the Color of Your Butterfly, I fell in love with his playing and creativity.”
Appears On: TGTT, Honeysuckle Rose
Accolades: Performed and recorded with jazz greats such as Jazzmeia Horn, Camille Thurman, Dezron Douglas, Sherman Irby, and many, many more.
Luques Curtis
Bass
“Luques is so cool to me! I’ve known him for a while and he just is such a nice cat whose favorite musical is Phantom of the Opera. I’m so glad he could join me for this project and I look forward to working with him again!”
Appears On: Creole Girl, Strange Fruit, E lucevan le stelle, What Is This Thing Called Love, In a Sentimental mood, My Love, Someday We’ll All Be Free
Accolades: Recipient of the 2016 Down Beat Rising Star Bassist on the Critics Poll. Co-owns Truth Revolution Records. As a sideman, Luques Curtis has participated in over 75 recordings. Luques has also served for many years as bassist with the legendary artist, Eddie Palmieri.
Ben Williams
Bass
“Ben is also a new colleague whose artistry and musical expression in performances resonates with me every time I see him play. I’m indeed honored to have him bring his talents to this project and cannot wait to work with Ben again.”
Appears On: Kiss of Life, Keep Your Eyes on the Prize, Honeysuckle Rose
Accolades: Ben has performed with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, George Benson, Pat Metheny, David Sanborn, Chaka Kahn, and Pharrell just to name a few. He recently completed his film debut with Don Cheadle in Miles Davis biopic, “Miles Ahead”. Ben is a member of Stefon Harris & Blackout.
Terreon “Tank” Gully
Producer | Arranger | Drums | Cymbals | Percussion | Vocals
“What can I possibly say about Terreon? He is the backbone of this entire operation. Terreon brought together all of the artists featured on this project. I’ve known him for more than 20 years and I’m so glad that he made a point to stay in my life despite our respective climbs up the ladder of success. He is one of the most kind, intelligent, magnanimous, giving people that I know and I love everything about who he is. No words can even express how thankful I am for his help on this project and I know it will take me at least 10 lifetimes to pay him back for his support and I will do so most willingly. ”
Appears On: Creole Girl, Strange Fruit, E lucevan le stelle, What is This Called Love, Eyes on the Prize, In a Sentimental Mood, My Love, Kiss of Life, Someday We’ll All Be Free, Honeysuckle Rose
Accolades: GRAMMY® winning artist. GRAMMY® nominated member of Jon Beasley’s acclaimed group MONK’estra. Has worked with Kurt Elling, David Sanborn, Sting, Queen Latifah, Meshell Ndegeocello, Lauryn Hill, and Common to name but a few. Produced Keith Brown’s album “The Journey”, Blackout’s “Sonic Creed” and is now producing “Love the Color of Your Butterfly.”
